Well, I like to keep Things simple. So I figured I can have my modded PS1 for use of original PS1 accessories. And I can play casual stuff on a PS3, because I think the Dual Shock on PS1, PS2 and the PS3 controllers are very similar and fits my hand well. Having an adapter and all that gets just a little too complicated.
Yeah. I've been thinking about a PS3 Test unit, because it's region free, and I imagine it's got some extra liable firmware to run all kinds of backups. Plus, as you said, it's all in one. But you also confirm that a PS1 debug console is the best choice for PS1 beta discs and scratched PS1 discs. I'll have to get around to moving the data from the beta discs over to new formats. I just can't right now. And btw.... Does the PS3 Test consoles show if a game running is NTSC, NTsC-J or PAL? Till now I've used my monitor's lack of running NTSC in color as an indication. Aha. I know on PS1s the laser can get saggy after time, and thus not project properly on the disc and cause trouble. I fixed one very manually by sticking two clear tape pieces together stuck on each side of the reader, so it created a support belt under the reader, so it wasn't sagging so much. But you say this can also make the PS1 region free and play backups?
Say that to my battle hardened PSOne dualshock controller with its cheapo USB adapter. I have beaten Parasite Eve using it.
This was before I came to the United States so last year. But I'm damn sure it still works now. The PS3 is made to be tolerant of HID compliant devices. If the adapter's trying to emulate a PS3 controller I can see where the problem comes from (if it has a PS button it certainly tries to), but mine is just a generic HID device, it shouldn't have any problems besides not having a PS button to call the emu menu or the XMB. Something like this but with longer cable + circuitry halfway through the cable: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/310HXTs43TL._SY300_.jpg
Probably what they mean is that PS1 controller adapters will only make your PS1 controllers work on PS3. They'll work on any game that'll play on PS3 but if you try to use special controllers like negcon or a mouse the ps3 won't recognize them.
I doubt anyone would "sand them into dust". But if the discs are CD-Rs it would be important to copy them properly ASAP. If you want to back them up for longer term storage you could try those Gold archival grade CD-Rs.
Sounds cool! I'll def do some research about this! If the adapter is cheap, I should get use of it one day if I need to on a PS3. If not, I'll get my PS1 out. But then I think so far a PS3 Test console will be the most overall suitable choice, in terms of multi-purpose and functionality crammed into minimun space usage.
Sorry for reviving this topic, but do anyone know if it would be cheaper and just as effective to "simply" install a custom firmware on a regular PS3, as buying a PS3 debug console? Is there really any difference? All I need is a good all-in-one console playing PS1+2+3 and backups of all regions.
I think debug units can get into that Sony QA Network. Someone once used that to dl a Sonic 4 ep 1 proto and posted a video on youtube. But I think even retail units can be hacked into debug units. To answer your question I dunno.
I've noticed that some PS1 games seem to work better on a PS2. I have a copy of Skullmonkeys, and when I play it on my SCPH-1001, the music skips in a certain level. I remember it having the same issue with a PS1 I previously owned. Playing it on a PS2, the music doesn't skip, and it plays normally. I don't know if this is a problem all PS1s have or not; I haven't tested it on my 9001 unit. Some games are cool to play on a PS2 because you can use texture filtering.
The PS3 emulator is not perfect. My copy of Return Fire doesn't work on my PS3 but does work on my PS2. The PS2 hardware isn't perfect too but it is way better than the PS3 emu (I only had problems with The X-Files, that one I can only play reliably on an actual PS1). Oh and by the way, I just got my console and the controller + adapter still works. In fact I played Parasite Eve on EX game and stopped only because of the disc swap after the subway station (no PS button = can't change discs). Guess I need to buy another DS3 controller.
Ok. so a PS3 reads certain games poorly because it emulates rather than reading the game directly or something?
All of the SONY consoles that have backward-compatibility use emulators in some way, hence why the behaviour of some games is different. Some games with design problems may even get broken.
Ow... Ok, but what kind of design problems? Games that can happen to lag a lot or bug out / freeze etc? And get broken as in damaging the actual game data?! :O
Essentially, they were designed to expect some sort of hardware behaviour that wasn't emulated by the emulator. Depending on what you believe, you may or may not consider such problems as bugs. Data loss is probably not an immediate effect. Most of them just don't run well.
That sounds like your PlayStation is having problems reading the disc. The basic design of the PlayStation CD drive is quite old, and it came from a time when the standard was a fixed-gain read chain with the gain set at a level where it would work reliably with pressed CDs. More modern drives (basically, anything designed after CD-RW came out) and CD/DVD combo drives have programmable gain amplifiers in the read chain and a AGC system to set the gain to the optimum level for the current disc.
